Built as a passenger- icebreaker under yard No. 215 by Ulstein Hatlo A/S of Ulstenvik, Norway for Polar Circle (Rieber Shipping A/S managers), Bergen, Norway.
Launched under the name POLAR CIRCLE.
Tonnage 5.129 gross, 1.538 net, 2.200 dwt., dim 91.01 x 17.90 x 9.30m. draught 6.50m.
Powered by two 8-cyl. diesels, manufactured by BMV Bergen Diesel A/S Bergen, 8.152 bhp., single screw, speed 12 knots. Fitted out with bow and stern thrusters.
Passenger accommodation for 95 passengers in 48 cabins, crew 35.
A large hold forward of the superstructure, served by a crane.
Aft the superstructure is a flightdeck and hangar for a helicopter.
Fitted out with laboratories and research facilities, carried a gallow derrick aft for deploying and recovering survey equipment over the stern.
Ice strengthened, she can break through ice one meter thick with a speed of 3 knots.
Red painted hull.
1990 Delivered to owners.
Used for scientist voyages after delivery.
She arrived Portsmouth 17 October 1991 was bare-boat chartered for a period of 8 months by the British Ministry of Defence from Polar Circle A/S (Rieber Shipping A/S managers), Norway to replace HMS ENDURANCE. She will not be renamed when she is under charter.
Under charter she will carry a British crew and will fly the White ensign.
After arrival she berthed alongside the HMS ENDURANCE for transfer of stores and equipment.
Displacement 6.500 ton full load.
Crew 112 plus 6 Royal Marines.
Not an armament given, that I think she is unarmed except some small arms.
She will be used to carry out scientific surveys, gathering oceanographic data, and act as guardship for British interests in the Antarctic region and a support and supply vessel for the British Antarctic Survey.
21 November 1991 commissioned under the name POLAR CIRCLE (A176).
Sailed the same day out from Portsmouth for her voyage to the Antarctic.
09 October 1992 bought by the Royal Navy as a support ship, and renamed HMS ENDURANCE (A 171)
Carried now 2 Westland Lynx HAS. Mk helicopters.
16 December 2008 suffered flooding in the engine room, which left her without main power and propulsion, at that time she was 350 km west of Punta Arenas in the Magellan Strait underway to Valparaiso.
Towed by two Royal Navy tugs later to Punta Arenas for repair on the local Asmar yard there.
End December towed by two tugs from Punta Arenas to the Falkland Islands where she is expect on 4 January 2009, most probably later she will be towed to the UK later for repair.
Marine News 1991/721,728. Jane’s 2003/04. Ships of the Royal Navy by J. J. Colledge. Some web-sites.